voice; ota

[soulcomet]

[suddenly, a voice!]

Hello! I hope everyone's doing all right now that we're back here on the island.

Um. Sorry if this is a weird question, but ... if you're an experienced fighter, what sort of training do you do that helps you out the most? The sort of thing that maybe a beginner could pick up on easily?

[beginner isn't really the right word for Madoka. but with her usual abilities out of reach, floating along with wherever the high frequency is, and with only a bow that's older than she is to use as a weapon, she's not that many steps ahead of one. does that make her a novice? first class? junior hero?]

It couldn't hurt to have that information out there, anyway. For the people who didn't do any fighting back home.

— Oh! If we haven't met before, I'm Madoka Kaname. If you ever need healing or first aid, please come see me, okay? I'm usually at the beach or the base camp.

Comments

[soulcomet]

[Madoka's normal bow is some sort of magic tree branch, so really, this wouldn't be anything new to her.]

Really? You can make weapons using magic?

— Ah, but please let me give you something in return, if you're able to help! I have some food and some first aid supplies I could give you.

[bulletbiter]

[ He still retains this ability here, though it's because it doesn't source from magic ]

No, it's alright. I just need to practice how to do it, that'll be enough.

[soulcomet]

Well ... if you're absolutely sure? I have some food that I'd be happy to give you in exchange for it.

I can probably send you an image of what my bow looks like, if you give me a few minutes.

[bulletbiter]

I haven't tried creating a bow before, it might take a while. I'll do my best.

[ Really, he doesn't need to eat anymore. It's best left to someone else. ]

[soulcomet]

Trust me, anything you could make would be a big step up from what I have right now. Thank you.

[shortly after, she sends a telepathic image of a bow. and, then:]

Please don't strain yourself, though. [she doesn't know what exactly making a bow would entail for him.]

[bulletbiter]

[ It looks very different from what he's seen of bows in the Archives, so he supposes he'll have to improvise. ]

I shall let you know once it is done.

[ He's not capable of instant conjury like Alphonse is, so it will be quite some time. First he has to create the base of the bow itself, then fine-tune its body so that it would carry elastic structure. Then, the string... which means he'll sequester himself away for a day or two until he can be absolutely sure it would not fall apart.

The perks to carrying the Singularity means that he can produce smaller cores and imbue it with his will. Simplified by 9S' guidance, it would be instructed to keep the bow's shape and nothing else.

Madoka is free to bother him while he works, but if not he'll send her a telepathic message when he's finished: ]

I think I have it down. Please come and try it out. Where are you now?

[soulcomet]

[she hadn't wanted to be a pest, so she left Julius alone. and, at some point, she couldn't help but worry if maybe she was asking too much of him.]

Really? I'm at the base camp right now — um. It wasn't too much trouble, was it? I apologize if so...

[bulletbiter]

It was no trouble.

[ With that, he'll set off to find her. The bow he made looks similar to the image she had sent him, except it was pure white and carried no other colour. The bow's shaft feels grained like that of wood, and two (white) opalescent gemstones are set where the pink diamonds had been. The flowers, too, are white. ]

Please let me know if it works to specifics. I am not sure if the string tension is sufficient.

[soulcomet]

[it's ... utterly stunning. Madoka is at a loss for words, as she turns the weapon over in her hands, and gives the bowstring a light pluck, testing it. she can work with this — no, not only can she work with this, this is a fantastic bow.]

[when she looks up at Julius, she almost looks like she wants to cry.]

It's perfect. Thank you so much — I was ... really scared that I wouldn't be able to defend myself on the next world we go to, but thanks to you, I don't have anything to worry about.

Please let me give you something in return?

[bulletbiter]

[ She reminds him of himself in quite a few ways - earnest for self-improvement, independence, and to become stronger. In that way, he must help her in whatever way he can. ]

No, it's alright. I can understand, wanting to be able to protect yourself and your friends. That's all I ask of you.

[ He offers her a smile, slight and gentle. ]

This is my first time making something like this. Should you need maintenance done, please come see me again.

[soulcomet]

I will, thank you.

[she's returning his smile twofold.]

You'd tell me if there was something I could do to help you, too, right?

[bulletbiter]

Of course.

[ Madoka is so very earnest, and it incites worry in him. ]

I could teach you the sword as well, though I think a bow would suit your style more.

[soulcomet]

[she thinks on this a minute — back to the advice that others have also offered her.]

It ... probably wouldn't hurt to learn a little bit. So that I'd at least have an idea of how someone who uses a sword fights.

[never know what weapons an unknown opponent might draw, after all.]

I mean — if you're okay with showing me? You've already helped me out so much.